Stress...it isn't for the faint at heart.

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A few years ago, I was diagnosed with SVT, supraventrical tachycardia, basically when your heart beats way too fast; this was something I felt over the years, after the birth of my daughter, but for some reason I randomly had an episode that lasted hours and eventually led to being admitted to the hospital. There are tons of facts and information on SVT, and its actually quite common for most women in my age bracket, so while its typically not alarming, it definitely lead to some life changes, and if you think you may suffer from this, then this article is surely for you.

This is what a normal heart rate should look like. The night I was admitted, mine was at 193 on the couch *GASP* Please note, if you are experiencing any kind of chest pain or discomfort, go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY.

While I was in the hospital the doctors asked me a ton of questions about my lifestyle, how do I eat, smoking, drinking, stress level, etc. In the end coming to no real conclusion about why I was experiencing these episodes, but sending me home with a prescription of Metropolol, an umbrella medication that can be used for anxiety, heart conditions, panic, stress, you know it. I decided to take it for the 30 days, but I knew I didn't want to continue with a prescription for the rest of my life. Insert self-check, yoga, DECAF, my art, and quality time with my family. I did not have an SVT episode for almost 2 months, and then holiday season came in. That time when all the family is in town, you're hustling to get last minute stuff done, time can't go any faster, and it seems like you're going to fall apart. Even that didn't send my heart into overdrive. What did it, was an emotional break I had about a personal issue. My heart literally hurt. It wasn't physical stress, it was emotional stress that sent me right back to the Dr. The difficult thing about emotional stress is, sometimes it seems like there is no way to control that, but there is and I had to figure that out fast.

Yeah... Not the highlight of my career. This was after receiving a dose of adenosine, a medication to stop & restart the heart. The most insane feeling ever.

This long winded story about my health is really to share this statement: your heart is fragile, and the way that you internalize emotions REALLY do take it's toll. Our lives are a sequence of experiences, some positive and joyful, some hurtful and traumatic. But I'm here to share my nugget of knowledge, which is, your life experiences are just that...experiences, they are not you. Just as you sit in a car and watch things float by, you can control your emotions and experiences to feel the same way. It's not easy, and by no means will it happen tomorrow, but for me, it could be life or death. For me, it means, saying "[Sarah] I can't participate in this argument  with you," or saying to myself, "this situation is out of your control- release it." It means, recognizing that emotions have the power to physically deplete you if you let them. My heart won't allow me that disservice anymore, and I'm sure your peace of mind wouldn't either. ​

It's extremely hard to go through something like a break-up and not feel it, or to have loss in your life and not feel it, it's almost unnatural it seems; however, we have to figure out ways to cope with these things so that we, in turn, don't lose ourselves. Here are 3 ways to stop yourself, from breaking your heart.
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Meditate

 When you're going through something emotionally stressful, and rumination starts to creep in, find a quite corner, turn everything off, and just listen to yourself, zone in on the pain. There will come a moment, when you realize, you don't have any solution, but to wake up and try again. This is the beginning of the release. This is the solution. 

Find Your Passion

Distraction is key when you're emotionally stressed. I found my love for the camera and painting when I was met with loneliness. Even now, when I feel anything stressful coming on, I stop and pick up my paintbrush, and I begin the process of creating something new. I'm able to actually push the negativity aside, and replace it with productivity.

Invest in Support

This one can be sketchy sometimes, friends love to have friends discuss drama. That is not what you need in a time of emotional stress. Sort through your relationships and seek out those who you know can provide you with relief. Maybe a friend who's a good listener, patient, active, and mindful, not the one who loves to party, is blasting music while you speak, and keeps interrupting you with comment.
These are small ways you can find some reprieve from emotional stress, a wake up call to tell you stress WILL hurt you, and a chance for me to share my story about SVT and ways I've kept mine under control. 

"Her heart got hold of her, shaking her body, her mind woke up."


​-RB